Blogue

Join our virtual Advocacy Training Workshop for researchers and gain the insights, tools, and skills to effectively advocate and shape the future of brain and mental health research in our country.

Date: Thursday, June 20th, 2024
Time: 11:30am – 1:0opm PT / 2:30pm – 4:00pm ET
Sign up now: https://bit.ly/CBRSAdvocacyWorkshop2024

CBRS has made significant strides to position brain research as a top scientific priority in our country but we need members of the research community to raise their voice – trainees, research staff, and PIs at all career stages – to represent all the essential components of the scientific endeavor.

The workshop is designed to help researchers:

• Develop effective communication strategies
• Practical skills session with experienced science communicators
• Understand the government decision-making process
• Access customizable advocacy materials and resources
• Drive impact in a unified advocacy campaign

The focus will be a hands-on practical skills session, led by experienced science communicators, to craft impactful advocacy letters and narratives.

Researchers at all career stages are welcome! No prior experience required!

Let’s shape the future of brain research in Canada together. Register: https://bit.ly/CBRSAdvocacyWorkshop2024

Join our upcoming virtual Advocacy Training Workshop for researchers and gain the insights, tools, and skills to effectively advocate and shape the future of brain and mental health research in our country.

Join us virtually on Thursday, March 14^th, 2024
from 11:00am – 12:30pm PT / 2:00pm – 3:30pm ET.
Reserve your spot now: https://bit.ly/CBRSAdvocacyWorkshop2024

CBRS has made significant strides to position brain research as a top scientific priority in our country but we need members of the research community to raise their voice – trainees, research staff, and PIs at all career stages – to represent all the essential components of the scientific endeavor.

The workshop is designed to help researchers:

• Gain insights into government decision-making and how to effectively engage with elected officials
• Develop tailored communication strategies for diverse audiences to convey the importance of their research
• Access customizable materials and resources to support their advocacy efforts

The focus will be a hands-on practical skills session, led by experienced science communicators, to craft impactful advocacy letters and narratives.

Researchers at all career stages are welcome! No prior experience required!

Let’s shape the future of brain research in Canada together. Register: https://bit.ly/CBRSAdvocacyWorkshop2024

The CBRS was featured in an editorial within The Globe & Mail’s Brain Awareness Week Report, shedding light on the imperative for a unified national strategy to uphold Canada’s leadership in brain health and research.

The editorial highlights the innovative approach to brain and mental health research investments in our national research strategy, aiming to leverage Canadian strengths and foster global competitiveness. Dr. Jennie Z. Young, Executive Director of CBRS, emphasizes the urgency of a holistic approach to brain health and research, stressing the interconnectedness of brain disorders and the need for unified efforts.

The framework of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy prioritizes strengthening the brain research ecosystem nationwide, advocating for long-term, stable and flexible funding to support a skilled workforce and infrastructure for research and translation efforts. Dr. Young emphasizes the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing, calling for investments not only in research grants but also in coordination and infrastructure to maximize impact.

Yes, we absolutely need more research grants. At the same time, we also need more investments not tied to a certain centre, project or research topic – investments in co-ordination, research support personnel and other forms of infrastructure that enable more collaboration and sharing of skills and knowledge.

– Dr. Jennie Z. Young, Executive Director, CBRS

The ultimate goal is a sustainable, world-class ecosystem for brain research similar to those for artificial intelligence and quantum technologies that have been back by government in recent years.

The CBRS was further highlighted through a collaborative effort, with special thanks to individuals from the Heart & Stroke, Ontario Brain Institute, Kids Brain Health Network, CIHR Institute of Aging, and the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging who generously volunteered their time and expertise to craft an accompanying advertisement.

Read the editorial in The Globe & Mail here.
Download the print layout here.

In response to a study by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science & Research (SRSR Committee) on how best to integrate Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and science into government policy development, CBRS submitted a policy brief on, “Immersing and Utilizing Indigenous Knowledges in Policy to Bridge Brain Science with the Future“.

The brief states: the “implementation and application of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge with governmental policy development is imperative for substantial growth in brain research” and outlines a three-pronged approach to incorporate traditional and cultural knowledge into governmental policy development:

• preserving and restoring Indigenous Knowledges;
• guiding and mentoring future knowledge sharers; and
• application of Indigenous Knowledges across transdisciplinary environments.

The brief builds on CBRS’s efforts to amplifying the unique and diverse voices of Indigenous peoples in Canada to enrich brain research, led by our Indigenous Knowledges Holders Group (IKHG). Since its inception, the IKHG has held series of workshops to initiate dialogue on developing relationships and concrete solutions for brain health research with Indigenous Peoples.

As Western science comes to the realization that we must take a collaborative, transdisciplinary, open approach to make real advances in understanding complex systems, we can look to Indigenous Traditional Knowledges for guidance and valuable insights into holistic approaches to health, including the understanding of the brain.

The SRSR Committee is comprised of Members of Parliament across all political parties to allow them to hear from Canadians and experts on issues of national concern on science and research. Read more about their study: Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and science into government policy development.

Read our full policy brief here.

As part of CBRS’s outreach activities, Dr. Jennie Z. Young spoke at the CERVO Brain Research Centre in Quebec City as part of their annual end-of-year conference. Students, trainees, research associates, early career researchers and senior scientists shared the culmination of a year’s developments in neuroscience, though talks, posters, and networking opportunities.

Dr. Young spoke on the national research strategy for brain and mental health and the need for targeted federal policies and investments in a Canadian Brain Research Initiative. She underscored the importance of a coordinated approach to brain research and health, highlighting the essential need for talent and infrastructure support.

A key messsage to the audience asserted their pivotal role as advocates in driving forward progress within the field of neuroscience, and the power of their collective voice to shape policy and drive positive change.

The Quebec Research Center in Neuro-AI (UNIQUE Center) held a year-end event in Montreal to share recent advancements and current excitement in the field of Neuro-AI and to celebrate the successes of the UNIQUE Centre since its launch in 2019.

Dr. Jennie Z. Young was invited to deliver opening remarks on the significance of Neuroscience-AI in the national strategy to an audience of 500+ participants from various academic institutions and scientific disciplines, including world-renowned scientists Dr. Nancy Kanwisher (MIT), Dr. György Buzsáki (NYU), and Dr. Yoshua Bengio (UdeM/Mila).